MX23RW : Wednesday, February 12 00:28:06| >> :600:355332:355332:

Wycombe chairman fears £2.5m loss during coronavirus pandemic

Wycombe chairman fears £2.5m loss during coronavirus pandemic
© Reuters
Furloughed staff have been encouraged to find alternative employment once the Government scheme ends.

Wycombe have advised their furloughed staff to look for alternative employment once the Government scheme ends.

The League One club, who are warning of losses in excess of £2.5million because of the coronavirus pandemic, have also said they can no longer afford to make up their salaries to 100 per cent.

Chairman Rob Couhig said on the club's official website: "The club has essentially been without revenue since the beginning of March. Our loss of revenue even with the utilisation of the furlough plan has exceeded £1m through the end of May.

"On a going-forward basis, we anticipate our loss of revenue will continue at the rate of £350,000 a month.

"While no one really knows for sure when we will be able to return to playing in front of crowds, it seems reasonably certain that it will not happen until at least September and many speculate not until at least December.

"It is apparent that the club's losses as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak may exceed £2.5m. If we are required to play games behind closed doors, whether to try to complete the season or in play-offs, these costs will go up.

"We have informed all our non-football staff presently on furlough that their pay will be limited to that which we receive from the furlough plan.

"Through May 31, everyone has received 100 per cent of their pay. The club has made up the difference.

Jason McCarthy, centre, will return to Millwall after Wycombe can no longer afford his wages
Jason McCarthy, centre, will return to Millwall after Wycombe can no longer afford his wages (Richard Sellers/PA)

"Going forward, these furloughed employees will receive 80 per cent of their salary with a maximum payment of £2,500 per month. We are also recommending that they begin the search for alternative employment once furlough ends."

Wycombe's fate on the pitch this season remains up in the air as League One clubs have still yet to vote on whether to end the season, with a decision not likely to come for another week.

The Chairboys have indicated they will vote for it to end, even though that would mean they will be involved in the play-offs, which would be set by a points-per-game basis.

If they are involved in the play-offs, they will be without loanee Jason McCarthy, who Couhig says they cannot afford to pay any more

"I have also informed our manager (Gareth Ainsworth) that the club will be without the services of Jason McCarthy.

"Jason is a wonderful player and a terrific guy. He was on loan to us from Millwall.

"While they and he were willing to extend the agreement through the remainder of this season, and he would unquestionably be helpful if play resumes in any circumstances, we simply can't afford him.

"I am confident that the remainder of the team can achieve success when we are allowed to return.

"The club will survive this crisis as it has in the past. However, it will only do so by taking hard necessary steps to deal with the reality of our economic situation."

ID:401177: cacheID:401177:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6942:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
General view of Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park from November 2014
Read Next:
Rob Couhig completes takeover of Wycombe Wanderers
>
Read more about Rob Couhig Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham28206250193166
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe29178455302559
3Wrexham29167643251855
4Stockport CountyStockport31159747301754
5Charlton AthleticCharlton30148840291150
6Huddersfield TownHuddersfield29147841261549
7Leyton Orient291451043251847
8Bolton WanderersBolton30145114746147
9Reading30137104442246
10Barnsley30127114241143
11Blackpool3091384241140
12Lincoln CityLincoln301010103635140
13Stevenage29117112830-240
14Rotherham UnitedRotherham30108123435-138
15Mansfield TownMansfield29114143538-337
16Wigan AthleticWigan2897122728-134
17Northampton TownNorthampton3089132945-1633
18Exeter CityExeter2995153346-1332
19Bristol Rovers2995152945-1632
20Peterborough UnitedPeterborough3086164657-1130
21Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury3076173150-1927
22Crawley TownCrawley2976163353-2027
23Burton Albion30511143145-1426
24Cambridge UnitedCambridge3058173055-2523


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!